Mark D. Graham

November 13, 1938 - September 5, 2016

Mark was born on November 13, 1938 to Robert and Helen Graham in South Gate, CA. Soon after graduation, Mark enlisted in the US Army in June, 1957, served in Africa and was honorably discharged July, 1963,

Mark met his wife, Linda on a blind date arranged by his brother, Bob. After a brief courtship they married, settling in Corona, CA where they raised four children – Cindy, Joni, Lori and Mark.

Mark graduated from Chaffey Community college and joined the Corona Fire Department as a fireman and then a fire inspector. Mark would have continued as a fireman but an on the job injury prevented him from continuing and in 1976, he moved his family to Aumsville, OR.

Mark spent several years driving a school bus at Cascade High – working all the travel games he could so he didn’t miss any of his kid’s sporting events. He developed a love for raising cows and horses and continued that passion into his 70’s at his home in Bend, OR where he and Linda enjoyed many happy years of retirement.

Mark loved to hunt as well and spent many great seasons in the woods. Sometimes his trips were short and the game elusive, but his passion never wavered and he had a trip planned for this November with his hunting buddy, Al.

Most of all, Mark loved his family. He put his family first and worked hard to provide for them all his life. He tenderly cared for Linda in her last years and grew a tenderness that touched each of us and many others whose path he crossed. Mark was blessed with 15 grandchildren and was so proud of each of them.

Mark was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; son, Mark; grandson, Connor and son-in-law, Rick.

Mark was on his way to a concert when he fell and the strain of the accident was more than his body could bear. He entered into his Savior’s rest on September 5, 2016.

He is survived by his daughters, Cindy Pressley and her children (Nicole, Heather, Thomas and Travis); Joni Jenks and her children (Jacob, Joshua and Anna); Lori James Nielsen and her husband Dave and their children (Sarah, Natalie, Olivia, Holly and Emma); his daughter-in-law, Lisa and her children (Megan and Emily) as well as his nieces, nephews and their families.

A celebration of Mark’s life will be held 5:00pm Sunday, September 18, 2016 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3737 Liberty Road S.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Dad’s love of his family and belief in higher education, memorial gifts to his grandson’s scholarship fund, Connor James Memorial Scholarship at www.skeducationfoundation.org would be appreciated.

We love you Dad, Grandpa.

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Sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest condolences. When I think of losing a loved one as you have, it brings to mind the promise that the Bible holds out at Revelation 21:3,4 where it says that the Grand Creator Jehovah God will wipe away sickness and death forever and reunite us with our loved one on a clean earth in the near future.(John 5:28,29; Psalms 83:18)
This may sound like a dream but it will soon be a reality for many families like yours. (John 17:3)
I truly hope these scriptures can serve as comfort in your family's time of distress.